Dental bracket.



G. J. VOKEL.

DENTAL BRACKET.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26. 1915.

1,117 5,847. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

3 SHLETSSHEET l.

G. J. VOKEL.

DENTAL BRACKET. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26,1915.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

. VOKEL.

DENTAL BRACKET. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26. 19m.

Patented Mar. 14, 191(3.

3 SHEETS-SHEEY 3.

GEORGE J. VOKEL,

OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DENTAL BR. .CKET.

masses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed January 26, 1915. Serial No. 4,504.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Gnonon J. VOKELLEL citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Dental Brackets, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel form of extensible bracket particularly designed to support a switchboard cabinet with its current and air controlling apparatus, a dental engine and other apparatus required particularly by dentists, the bracket being so constructed that it shall 1nclude means for supplying electric current and compressed air to said apparatus without interfering with its adj ustability.

I further desire to provide a bracket consisting of a plurality of elements pivoted together and carrying conductors for electric current and fluid under pressure, the invention contemplating novel forms of connections or joints between the bracket elements as well as between the bracket and the structures to which it is connected.

Another object is to provide a novel structure which may be extended or collapsed at will and which shall be particularly designed to support the switchboard and the associated apparatus required by dental operators. the arrangement of parts being substantial, inexpensive, convenient and not likely to get out of order or require but a minimum of attention and repairs.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth. reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale illustrating the detail construction of the wall plate and its associated parts; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line a-a, Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are two elevations partly in vertical section illustrating the detail construction of the tubular posts connecting the tubular lazy tongs with the switchboard cabinet and with the wall plate respectively; Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive are sections illustrating the detail construction of certain of the joints between the elements of my bracket; Fig. 10 is a transverse section illustrating the preferred arrangement of fluid and electric conductors in passing from one element to another of the bracket; and Fig. 11 is a section on the line b-b, Fig. 10.

In the above drawings 1 represents the wall plate which is fixed rigidly to a suitable VGItlCfll supporting structure and whose cover is provided with a pair of horizontally extending arms 2 and 2 rotatably supporting a hollow post 3. This latter carries and is connected to one end of a lazy tongs 1 whose opposite end supports a second tubular post 5, which at its upper end carries a dental engine or motor 6. This is likewise provided with a pair of horizontally projecting arms 7 and 8 for the support of a switchboard cabinet 9.

More specifically, the wall plate 1 consists of a flat metallic sheet or casting 10 held by screws or bolts 11 to the vertical face of a wall or other supporting structure and having fixed to it a box-like cover 12 from whose vertical face project the hollow arms 2 and 2*. WVithin the container formed by the back 10 and the cover 12 is mounted a terminal plate 13 having a series of receiving terminals 14 and a series of distributing terminals 15, to the first of which is connected a series of electric conductors from a cable 16 while to the latter are connected electric conductors leading to a second electric. cable 17, which passes out through the arm 2 into the lazy tongs hereafter described. In order to permit of this container being adjusted so as to stand in a vertical position there is mounted on the upper face of the arm 2 a leveling device 18. while the lowermost of the supporting screws 11 passes through a slot 11 in the back 10 so that before the intermediate screws 11 are inserted, said plate may be swung on the uppermost screw until it occupies the proper position as indicated by the bubble of the leveling device.

The tubular post 3 has anti-friction bearings E20 and 21 whereby it is rotatably mounted in the arms 2 and 2 and its lower end is connected to a pipe 19 leading to a source of air under pressure such as a pump or tank. it being understood that a suitable form of movable or flexible coupling 19 is provided between the post 3 and said pipe whereby rotation of the post in the arms may be permitted without injury to the pipe. \Vhen it is desired to prevent this rotation a clamp screw 2 in the arm 2 may be tightened. By any suitable mea." it upper por tion is connected to a flexible pipe 3 which passes into a forked head 19 mounted on the upper end of said st and communicates with a passage 40 1n a conical member 41 fixed to one-branch of said head so as to make an air-tight but movable connection with the upper end of a lazy tongs element 22. In this latter is another flexible pipe 42 having one end connected to the passage 40 and extended through said element as hereafter described.

The lazy tongs structure connecting the posts 3 and 5 is formed of a series of tubular elements 22, 23, 2425 and 26 ach of which is preferably made in the form of a flattened tube shaped to have the outline of a reverse curve, and pivotally connected in the manner common to lazy tongs except that in this case provision is made for carrying through them the electric current and compressed air designed for operating various dental apparatus such as the motor 6 and the instruments associated with the switchboard cabinet 9. While the electric conductors are necessarily carried by the several elements of the lazy tongs in such manner as to be at all times insulated from each other and from the metal of their supporting structure, it is to be understood that the compressed air may be carried either in a single flexible conductor extending through certain of the elements of the lazy tongs as indicated in Fig. 1 and as shown in others of the figures or it may be permittedto flow directly within said elements which in such case would have air-tight joints such as shown in Fig. 8. In any case the cable and air conductor would pass through the joints between the elements in such manner as to be uninjured by their relative movement incident upon the extension or retraction of the bracket.

While in Fig. 1 I have shown the paths followed by the air and electricity in a somewhat diagrammatic manner, I preferably, though by no means necessarily, employ an independent air conductor 42 consisting of a flexible metallic or rubber tube connected in any suitable manner to the passage 40 in the head 19 at the upper end of the post 3, as shown in Fig. 5 and from there extended through the element 23 to the bottom thereof, from whence it passes to the lower end of the element 24 through a joint such as shown in Fig. 8 or if desired such one as illustrated in Fig. 10. In the former case, which is also available for use when the air under pressure is conducted directly through the tubular elements'of the lazy tongs, the nut or head 22 of one of the elements is provided at one side, with a tubular conical extension 43 which fits into a similarly formed opening in the side of the head 44 of the 'element 24. The parts are held together by suitable nuts 45 on the end of the extension so as to provide an air-tight joint between them and anti-friction bearlngs are preferably provided between the extension 43 and the head 44 so as to facilitate their free movement.

In the preferred form of my invention the air conductor 42 is passed through the pening 46 of the extension 43 into the first f the elements 24 and from thence is run through a second similar element 24 to the lower end of the element 25;" In passing the central pivotal connection of the lazy tong elements, the air conductor is arranged as shown in Fig. 6, and said elements are movably held together by a threaded extension 47 rigidly fixed to the central boss 48 of one of them so as to extend into the similar boss 29 of a second element, where it is provided with retaining nuts 49, suitable anti-friction bearings being provided between these elements as shown in Fig. 6.

The air conductor passes through the element 25 to the upper end thereof where it is connected to a conical tube 50 passing through and making an air-tight connection with a threaded extension 51 projecting from one side of the head of said element. The outer end of this tube 50 has connected to it a flexible pipe 52 which extends within a hollow head 53 fixed to the upper end of the post 5 into which said latter pipe is connected.

As shown in Fig. 4, the upper end of the post 5 is preferably given a downwardly tapering form, being fitted with a collar 32 bored to make an air-tight fit with it and held in place by a lock or jam nut 54. The post 5 is closed at the lower end by a cap 55 and air delivered to it flows through a passage 56 in the collar 32, to an outlet 33 thereon, through a pipe 34 to a suitable air controller and distributer 35 provided in or upon the switchboard cabinet 9.

It is to be understood that the air conduit 42, instead of being connected to the post 5 through the elements 50 and 52, may if desired be run through the passage within the extension 51, through the head 53 and connected to the passage in the same manner as is the short length of pipe 52. The particu- 11o lar arrangement adopted however, is immaterial, as my invention contemplates broadly the provision of an extensible bracket whose members either themselves provide means for transmitting air under pressure or support a conductor containing such air, from a fixed member such as the pipe 19 to a distributing point such as the controller 35.

The electric cable 17 is run from the arm 2 as shown in Fig. 5 to the head 19 and thence through a lateral tubular extension 57 into the upper end of the element 22. It then extends downwardly within this element to a point adjacent the center thereof Where it passes into the central part of the lazy tongs element 23 through a joint connection such as that shown in Fig. 7. From thence it passes from the top of the element 23 to the top of the element 24 through a joint such as that shown in Fig. 9. From thence it passes to the bottom of this element into the head 28 thereof, then into the similar head of another element 24, to the top of this latter and into the element 26, through which it extends to the middle thereof. At this point it is led into the element 25 through a joint such as that shown in Fig. 7 and runs to the top of the latter element where, as shown in Fig. 4, it extends into the head 53.

In the particular apparatus shown, certain conductors of the cable are extended through an opening in the cap 60 at the s1de of said head as indicated at 61 and of these, two leads 62 and 63 are extended to a heater 64: mounted on the top of the cabinet 9 and also run to a pair of plugs or terminals 65 and 66 carried by the marble face 67 of the cabinet. The main portion of the cable 17 extends within the head 53 through a tubular structure (38 mounted thereon and thence in anv suitable manner to the terminals of the motor 6.

While the lazv tongs elements 22 and 25 are pivotally connected to the two posts 3 and 5, the elements 23 and 26 are slidably as well as pivotally connected to them and for this pur ose each of said elements has its end forked (Fi s. 4 and 5). In each case there is slidably mounted on the post a sleeve 70 having a conical bore for the reception of a conical compensating bushing 71 whose position may be adjusted by nuts 72 and 74 threaded into said sleeve. The latter has fixed to it two threaded trunnions 73 each of which carries one of the cones of an antifricticn bearing whose second element is carried by the arm 23. The forked ends of the elements 23 and 26 are hollow for the reception of the bearings and their associated parts, being normally closed by removable caps 30.

It is to be understood that in every case there is permitted a free and unimpeded movement of the lazy tongs elements relatively to each other and to the structures to which they are connected and that without injury to the air and electric conductors, to which access may be had at any joint of the lazy tongs through openings normally closed by caps 80 screwed into the heads or bosses of the elements. The connections between the post 5 and the cabinet 9 are such as to permit of said post serving as a vertical axis about which the cabinet may be turned, there being anti-friction bearings 81 between the arms 7 and 8 of said post as well as between the latter and the motor 6.

Vhile anti-friction bearings are preferably providcd at all joints between the lazy tongs elements as shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, it is to be understood that without departing from my invention the heads or bosses of said elements may be connected as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 where I have employed a bolt 31 extending centrally of the adjacent heads or bosses, so as to pivot them together. In such case the adjacent faces of these heads or bosses would be slotted concentrically with the pivot bolt as indicated at 28 so as to permit of the free passage of the electric and air conductors 17 and 42 without likelihood of their being injured when the arms of the elements are relatively moved.

By my invention the switchboard cabinet with the dental engine and their associated parts may be moved out from a position adjacent the wall bracket to an extended position convenient to a dental operator, and the air actuated apparatus as well as the electric devices may be put in operation whenever desired without loss of time and with the utmost convenience. V hen the bracket is collapsed the curved elements of the lazy tongs fit closely together and in any case form a mechanically strong support which may be swung in a horizontal plane on the post 3 as an axis.

In case it should be found advisable to adjust the lazy tongs in order that it with its attached parts may operate in a vertical plane, I provide the means shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for Shifting the position of the cover plate 12 and therefore all the parts carried by it. For this purpose I mount in the top of the wall plate 10 a screw or projection 90 the under side of whose head is conical or tapered in form. Projecting downwardly within the top of the cavity of the cover plate is a. fork or V-shaped structure each of whose two branches 91 has its extremity bent back so as to rest against the adjacent face of the wall plate, while its main portions engage the head of the projection 90 and pivotally support the cover plate with its attached parts while forcing it back into close engagement with the outer face of the wall plate as well as preventing its accidental removal therefrom. At the bottom of the wall plate I provide a second screw 92 on which is rotatably mounted an eccentric 93 fitting more or less closely into a slot or recess in the adjacent edge of the cover plate 12. By this means after said plate with its parts has been mounted or hung upon the screw or projection 90, it may be swung to a limited extent in either direction by turning the eccentric. 92-3 with a view to moving the lazy tongs into a vertical plane. For this purpose said eccentric is provided with a peripheral hole for the reception of a wrench or other adjusting member.

It is to be noted that in case the air under pressure is transmitted directly through the members of the lazy tongs, the caps of the bosses on said members would preferably be formed as indicated at 83 in Figs. 7 and 8 with a conical portion which would make air-tight connection with the cooperating part of the boss when said cap is set up.

I claim I 1. An extensible bracket including a. hollow supporting structure connected to a source of air under pressure; an air distributing member; a tubular lazy tongs connecting said structure with said member; and a continuously extending air condult within but independent of the lazy tongs for transferring air under pressure from the supporting structure to the distributing member.

2. An extensible bracket includinga supporting structure; a device for utlhzing air under pressure; a tubular lazy tongs mounted on the supporting structure and carrying said device; means for supplying an under pressure to that end of the lazy tongs attached to the supporting structure; and an independent conduit passing through certain of the joints of the lazy tongs for conducting the air from said end of the lazy tongs through the same to said de ice.

3. The combination of a supporting structure; a tubular member mounted therein and connected to a source of air under pressure; a tubular lazy tongs connected to said member; an air distributing device supported by the lazy tongs; with a flexible pipe connected to the tubular member, extending through the several elements of the lazy tongs and connected to the air distributing device carried thereby.

An extensible bracket including a wall plate; a tubular post carried thereby; a lazy tongs having a member at one end pivoted to said post and a second member slidable thereon; a second post pivotally connected to one element and slidably connected to a second element at the opposite end of the lazy tongs; a structure carried by said second post; and conductors extending through the lazy tongs for supplying electric current to apparatus carried by said cabinet.

5. An extensible bracket including a wall plate; a tubular post carried thereby; a lazy tongs having a member at one end pivoted to said post and a' second member slidable thereon; a second post pivotally connected to one element and slidably connected to a second element at the opposite end of the lazy tongs; a cabinet carried by said second post; and conductors extending through the lazy tongs for supplying electric current and air under pressure to apparatus carried by said structure.

6. An extensible bracket including a supporting structure; a member to be supplied with electric current; and a tubular lazy tongs connecting said structure and member; with electric conductors extending through the lazy tongs and passing through the joints between the elements thereof to one side of the axial line of each of said joints.

7. An extensible bracket including a support; a member to be supplied with electric current; and a tubular lazy tongs connecting said structure and member; the elements of the lazy tongs at their points of connection with each other having pivotally connected bosses formed with their adjacent faces slotted; with an' electric conductor extending through the lazy tongs and passing from element to element thereof through the slots in the bosses.

8. An extensible bracket including a support; a hollow head thereon; a lazy tongs consisting of pivotally connected tubular members of which one communicates with said head and another is slidable on said support; a structure carried by the lazy tongs and including a second hollow head communicating with one of the members thereof; and air actuated apparatus supplied from a source of air under pressure through the hollow heads and tubular members of the lazy tongs.

9. A lazy tongs consisting of a support; with two series of similarly reversely curved members pivotally connected together and carried by said support to constitute an extensible bracket, each member of one series being connected at its center to the center of a member of the other series and being placed with its curved ends in positions to be complementary to the similarly curved ends of said second member.

10. A dental bracket including a supporting structure; a member free to swing thereon; an extensible bracket carried by said member; and means for adjusting the memher on said supporting structure to bring the bracket into a vertical plane.

11. A dental bracket including a wall plate; a cover plate pivoted thereto at its upper end; an extensible bracket carried by said cover plate; and an eccentric for swinging the cover plate relatively to the wall plate to bring the bracket into a vertical plane.

12. A dental bracket including a wall plate; a projection on said plate having a conical portion; a second plate; a yoke on the second plate engaging the conical part of the projection so as-to be free to swing thereon and forced by said projection toward the wall plate; an extensible bracket carried by the second plate; with means at the bottom of the second plate for retaining it in a position with the bracket in a vertical plane.

13. A dental bracket including a wall plate; a projection on said plate having a conical portion; a second plate; a yoke on the second plate engaging the conical part of the projection so as to be free to swing thereon and forced by said projection toward the wall plate; an extensible bracket carried by the second plate; with means at the bottom of said second plate for retaining it in a position in which the bracket is in a vertical plane; the same consisting of an eccentric mounted on the wall plate and 10 operative in a recess in the second plate.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, .in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE J. VOKEL. Witnesses:

l/VlLLIAM E. BRADLEY, J 0s. H. KLEIN. 

